I have had my Sebenza for a couple of weeks

Easyrider

Easyrider

Joined
Jan 31, 2000
Messages
4,090
I have now owned my small Starbenza for a couple of weeks now and I now see the the hype is justified. It still isn't my perfect EDC, the knife it displaced holds that honor, but is has enough in common with my perfect EDC to get a tryout.

After using it for the last couple of weeks I have been very impressed with it and I anticipate a very long relationship with my Starbenza.

A VERY well made and designed knife. I am very happy that it lived up to the hype; I bought it thinking that if it didn't live up to my expectations then I could sell it off without taking much of a hit.


A well designed and built knife.

Well done Mr. Reeves.
 
Glad you like it. They are great knives, and I love the straight handles over any other folder handle.

What is your perfect EDC you speak of ?
 
I have a custom that I worked with a local maker whom is now retired, Keith Coleman. It is pretty much everything I wanted in an EDC. The handle is not quite as straight as the Sebenza but both blades are slicers with a high hollow ground. The custom fits my hand better than the Sebenza.

I really like the Sebenza blade bushing! Imagine not having to adjust the blade tension with the blade screw!

The tolerances these Sebenzas are being built to are amazing! I can't ever imagine wearing one out!

I read the hype and was doubtful that the knife lived up to it. I am happy to be proven wrong.
 
Thanks. Now you have two great EDC's that you really like. The Coleman sounds very nice.
Yes, I also love the blade bushing system of the Sebenza.
 
You are not new to knives.
What made you pull the trigger?
Inquiring mind want's to know.
red mag
 
red mag said:
You are not new to knives.
What made you pull the trigger?
Inquiring mind want's to know.
red mag
Click to expand...


A few things actually caused me to take the plunge. I tend to like knives with very gentle curves to almost straight handles. I am a big fan of high hollow ground blades; they seem easier to sharpen and are slicers. I am not looking for a sharpened prybar. The small Sebenza appeared from photograhs to be my ideal edc length.

There was a healthy amount of curiosity as well. I have read the stories over the years and I wanted to see for myself if it was hype or is there a great knife under all of the discussion.

I figure the worst case senario would be that I sold it off with only a small dollar loss since they seem so popular.

Fortunately for me the small Sebenza comes VERY close to my ideal EDC.
 
It is my all time favorite EDC. Knowing it holds an edge well, is well made and very easy to clean and disassemble makes it a strong user in my mind.
 
Cool, ive actually been waiting ALL day on fedex for my first sebenza. Its "supposed" to be delivered today but who knows.


LMAO literally just pulled up as I was typing this haha awesome!!
 
Congrats on the new blades. Welcome. Be sure and post some pics of your new knives. I've been on the lookout for a small starbenza.
 
jacobwilson99 said:
You should post pics of both! :D
Click to expand...
I am not the best photographer but here is a photo of my custom by Keith Coleman and my small Starbenza.
It is hard to see but my folder by Keith allows my hand to move a little further forward allowing me a slightly better grip and it is thicker, filling my hand better.

The Sebenza comes REALLY close to my perfect EDC. Now you see why I have been so happy with it when you include the build quality. It doesn't get much better for me.
Sebenza for EDC and my Coleman custom for those special occasions. The best of both worlds!

IMG_1530.jpg

IMG_1523-1.jpg

IMG_1531.jpg

IMG_1534.jpg
 
I'm glad it worked out for you. I remember that you had some questions about it being real. I also don't blame your for retiring your custom. You said if you dropped it on the sidewalk the maker has retired too and you wouldn't be able to get it fixed. Side note, I joined the CRK family about the same time you did. I share your thoughts on their quality. Congrats on a great knife.
 
I was looking around on the CRK website and saw that they have fill plates for when you EDC it without the clip. This is just information. I think it looks fine either way.
 
Alright, I've spent a little time on the CRK website and haven't noticed anything about the blade bushing system. Can you tell me about it? And I can see why you like your custom Coleman. It has some subtle shape to the scales. I have some knives with the slab sided shape of the Sebenza and they are great in the pocket, but not so much in the hand. If the Sebenza had just a little shape to the scales, I think that I may have one in my hand by now.
 
I was happy to see that your "favorite" is a custom. I was really wondering what could be better than a Sebbie. I've had many, both small and large. I'm definitely on the side of the larger size, but that's just hand-size.
I've only had one custom. It was very nice, it cost quite a bit more than a Seb, but another fellow wanted it much more than I did, so I sold it to him with no regrets.
My large Classic still is my all-time best, even though I've carried a Zaan quite a bit and have made a somewhat extensive foray into Mick and Duane's line also. Strider does well in its niche, but nothing beats my Classic Seb for my kind of EDC.
I "might" prefer my Zaan for EDC but still can't close it one-handed. Kind of upset that my son can... Of course, he's 42 and a moose.
Sonnydaze
 
I have my first Sebenza for about the same time too. To be honest when I first held it, it didn't click with me. It's not to say it was a bad knife, but it just felt like a dressed up "average" knife. It took me about 2 or 3 days of carrying to really appreciate it. I had a few knives from just about every major production company at one time or another, and I can honestly say the Sebenza is where it's at.

Anyway, enjoy your knife!
 
I certainly have grown to really enjoy my Sebenza and the build quality is outstanding but visiting with the maker at his shop to discuss what you want in a knife is a great experience.

I did mention that Keith was local to me so we discussed what I wanted and tried out his different patterns? He is a gentlemen and I enjoyed the experience. I wish he was still making knivess; I would have him make me a real working knife.

Of course I would not of had the opportunity to pick up a Sebenza. I have been quite pleased with this knife so far so I came out pretty good.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top